Famous Cape Cod Landmarks to Visit

A vacation to Cape Cod is a check off the bucket list of “Places to Go,” but once you arrive, where do you go to see the iconic lighthouses, fishermen, marine life and shorelines featured in magazines throughout the world? The opportunities for exploration and discovery on Cape Cod are truly endless, so allow us at the Chatham Gables Inn to narrow down some of the options for you. Here are some of our top picks for famous Cape Cod landmarks to visit.

Chatham Pier Fish Market

Chatham Pier Fish Market is a close neighbor of the Chatham Gables Inn. For an authentic cape experience, we always suggest a trip down to the pier where visitors can see fishermen unloading their fresh catches directly from their fishing boats and seals playing in their natural habitat. Chatham Pier Fish Market also has the best lobster shacks on Cape Cod. If you want to sink your teeth into a mouthwatering Cape Cod lobster roll or sample some authentic clam chowder, the Chatham Pier Fish Market is the place to go.

Nauset Light

Nauset Light provides a lesson in not taking famous landmarks for granted. The people of Cape Cod take great pride in this lighthouse, perhaps because we almost lost it. In 1993, the Coast Guard proposed decommissioning the light that shines from Eastham 15.5 miles out to the sea. The light was saved, however, and its 100-plus year history lives on. When visiting, take note of the light’s red top; it was added in 1940 to distinguish it from Highland and Chatham lights. Nauset Light is now one of the most famous lighthouses on the east coast.

Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum

The monument standing more than 250 feet tall is difficult to miss in the Provincetown skyline. Don’t make the mistake of missing an opportunity to visit the monument and its accompanying museum. The Pilgrim Monument commemorates the history of the Mayflower Pilgrims. Guests who climb the stairs to the top are awarded by spectacular views of Provincetown and beyond. At the base of the monument is the Provincetown Museum that features a unique collection of arts, fishing, cultural and maritime exhibits depicting the important history of Provincetown and the United States.

Cape Cod National Seashore

The picturesque shoreline landscapes of Cape Cod bring visitors from around the world, so we find it peculiar when these visitors don’t take the time to explore the National Seashore once they’re here. The Cape Cod National Seashore stretches across more than 43,000 acres of land and shoreline from the northernmost tip of the Cape to the southern Pleasant Bay area. Explore nature trails, beaches, dunes, lighthouses and more along the way.

Perhaps your stay in Cape Cod will be complete by following these few suggestions, or maybe you’re looking for a more robust Cape Cod experience. Here at the Chatham Gables Inn, we’re happy to help you plan your Cape Cod vacation and provide insight into the many things to see and do in Cape Cod. From famous landmarks to hidden local hangouts, we’ll be sure to make your visit to Cape Cod more than just a check off the bucket list. It will be an experience to remember for years to come. Book your stay at our Cape Cod bed and breakfast today!